Celebrating Black History All Year
Happy Black History month from all of us at CISPAC!
Black greatness is a reality every day, all year, not just during Black history month. For that reason, we are making a commitment to recognize diverse history-makers throughout the year because Black history is American history. Our “Spotlight on Black History” will feature well-known, and lesser-known black heroes trailblazers, changemakers, and community champions. Black Americans have made invaluable contributions to science, education, healthcare, the arts, civil rights, politics, and culture. Their stories have made an indelible mark in every aspect of our society, and we hope that you will join us as we salute Black history-makers. Who are the black heroes in your life? Email Lauren at lbrown@cispac.org with your tribute and we may feature it on our platforms.
First up, we would like to honor the contributions of Bayard Rustin (1912-1987). Rustin, a lesser-known figure of the civil right movements, was a key strategist and organizer of the March on Washington in August 1963. As an openly gay man, he was considered too controversial to be a face of the movement, but he was regarded for his brilliant mind and tireless commitment to the movement. In the 1980s he became a public advocate on behalf of gay causes and worker’s rights. He was also a key organizer of the citywide boycott of public schools in New York city to protest segregation. In 2013, he posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama. CISPAC honors, Bayard Rustin for his lifelong dedication to equality for all.
Read More:
Profile - The Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute
Who Designed the March on Washington by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (PBS & The Root)
